Luke Lawton didn't need to get hit in the head to see what was going on at training camp. The fullback missed nine days with a concussion but returned this week to find a competition he thinks has passed him by.

"I think they made their mind up," said Lawton, who started seven games for Oakland in 2008 and three last season. "I'm just not getting any reps. If they were trying to bring me back in slowly, I would be getting some. But I am not getting any. I am getting hosed."

The winner gets to start the first two games of the season, as Lawton completes a four-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. Lawton thinks one of the other fullbacks could keep the job past Week 2.

"Either (the Raiders) know what they've got with me, or they're trying to get rid of me," Lawton said. "I am the best one we've got, and if they want to keep me, they can. And if they don't, fine. Somebody will pick me up."

The 6-foot, 240-pounder has played for eight teams since signing with Buffalo as an undrafted free agent out of McNeese State. Along the way, he picked up a Super Bowl ring as a special-teams player for Indianapolis.

He's also picked up more than his share of concussions, though officially this was only his second.

"I didn't have any air in my helmet, and if you don't have any air you're screwed," Lawton said. "I forgot that day."